Influence in time and space of non-crop elements with associated functional traits on biocontrol, within the Montepaldi Long-Term Experiment, Tuscany

Highly intensive practices of agriculture and an irrational usage of pesticides have resulted in environmental sources exploitation and damaging of surrounding habitats. In this scenario, the role of non-crop elements such as weeds and semi-natural habitats is crucial for enhancing natural enemy abundance and therefore supporting biocontrol effect. The aim of the research was to evaluate the correlation between presence of arthropods and plant species composing non-crop elements. Biocontrol was evaluated depending on: (1) distances from field margins, (2) management of the system and (3) period of sampling. An analysis of plant, with associated functional traits, and arthropods (4) was performed to identify which plant species likely support predators. Main findings highlighted an overall similarity between samples collected in different periods and spots. This is likely explained by the relatively small size of the experimental site with resulting strong interactions among all the systems and a strong influence of the surrounding landscape on arthropod biodiversity. However, the biocontrol effect was found to be high even in the farther spots from the margins, in every system and over the whole sampling period. In conclusion, Cirsium arvensis resulted to be the plant species associated with a higher abundance of predators.